Standalone tool
Descendant Tree Maker
Use this interactive standalone tool to create descendant trees directly in your browser. You can add descendants, edit names and years, add spouses or partners, and visualize your descendant tree instantly without installing anything.
After creating your descendant tree, it can be exported as a high-quality printable JPEG image. This page contains only a DEMO version of the tool. The full version is delivered as a standalone .html file and works even without internet connectivity.
The DEMO version has editing limitations and does not allow full descendant tree customization (every other child field is marked as "Not available in DEMO").
You can download standalone demo version here or try out full screen demo. Instructions for this tool are available here. There is also example data you can try to import.
If you find this interesting you can download full version here.
Notice that full version tool is full screen. Embedded demo in this page forced to fit the page content.
Descendant tree generation
Built for families that expand downward from one person or couple
Descendant Tree Maker is designed for charts that start with one person or couple and expand through children, grandchildren, and later generations.
It is useful when you want to show how a family line grows over time instead of tracing one person’s ancestors backward.
The tool focuses on clear printable structure, automatic layout generation, spouse or partner support, and flexible descendant-line organization.
Descendant-focused layout
The chart starts from one person or couple and expands downward through children, grandchildren, and later generations.
Automatic structure
The tool arranges boxes, spacing, and connecting lines automatically, so you do not need to position descendants manually.
Spouse and partner support
Each descendant can include a spouse or partner, and you can choose which person continues the direct descendant line.
Save and continue later
JSON import and export make it possible to save your descendant tree data and continue editing later.
Genealogy workflow
How to use the Descendant Tree Maker effectively
Step 1: Start with the root person or couple
Enter the person or couple whose descendants you want to display. This becomes the starting point of the descendant tree.
Step 2: Add children and later generations
Build downward through children, grandchildren, and later generations while leaving unknown details blank when needed.
Step 3: Review spouses and bloodline choices
Add spouses or partners where useful, then check that the correct person continues the direct descendant line.
Step 4: Export or save your work
Export the finished descendant tree as a high-resolution JPEG or save the data as JSON so you can continue editing later.
Descendant tree use cases
When this tool makes more sense than a standard family tree
Use this tool when your goal is to show descendants from a known ancestor, couple, or family branch. It is better for downward family expansion than ancestor-focused layouts such as pedigree charts.
It is especially useful for family reunions, surname projects, broad descendant lines, and printable summaries that show how relatives connect across generations.
Family reunion charts
Create descendant trees that show how relatives connect back to a shared ancestor or ancestral couple.
Surname studies
Track how one family line expands through children, grandchildren, and later generations.
Large family branches
Document broad descendant lines without forcing them into a traditional ancestor-focused family tree.
Printable family records
Export a clean descendant chart that can be printed, shared digitally, archived, or used in a family history project.
Descendant builder use cases
What descendant tree builders are useful for
Track descendants
Follow family branches across multiple generations.
Visualize family growth
See how descendants expand across generations.
Printing and export
Export a descendant tree that is ready to print
The finished descendant tree can be exported as a high-resolution JPEG image for printing, sharing, or archiving.
Because descendant charts can become wide or deep, review the finished layout carefully before printing and shorten long names where needed.
If you plan to turn the result into a display piece, review the family tree keepsake guide before printing.
Tool features
Offline browser-based tool
Descendant Tree Maker is a practical genealogy tool for creating clean and structured descendant charts directly in your browser. This tool works completely offline and does not require installation, subscriptions, Excel, Word, or any external software.
Tool features
Editable genealogy details
All names, birth years, death years, and marriage dates are fully editable. Empty boxes are supported for unknown relatives, which makes the tool suitable for real genealogy research where information may be incomplete. The layout, spacing, and connectors are generated automatically, so no manual positioning or drawing is needed.
Tool features
Live preview while editing
To start, simply open the standalone HTML file in your browser. Enter family information on the left side and the live descendant tree preview updates instantly on the right side. You can scroll horizontally and vertically to view larger trees.
Related pages
Continue from the tool to the right template or guide
Family Tree Maker
Create flexible family tree layouts for ancestors, spouses, children, and different family structures.
Family Tree Types Explained
Compare descendant trees, pedigree charts, fan charts, and standard family trees.
How to Make a Family Tree
Follow a simple step-by-step process for organizing family information into a clear chart.
Related tools
Continue with tool instead of printable PDF template
Frequently asked questions
What is a descendant tree?
A descendant tree is a genealogy chart that starts from one person or couple and expands downward through children, grandchildren, and later generations.
What is Descendant Tree Maker used for?
Descendant Tree Maker is used to create structured printable descendant charts directly in your browser. It helps organize descendants visually while keeping family connections clear and readable.
How many generations does the tool support?
The tool supports up to 7 generations of descendants (target couple / person included), allowing you to build large family history charts suitable for genealogy research and printing.
Can I add spouses or partners to descendants?
Yes. Each descendant can include a spouse or partner, and you can choose which person continues the direct descendant line for accurate family connections.
Can I leave some relatives unknown?
Yes. Empty boxes and incomplete information are fully supported, which makes the tool suitable for real genealogy research where some names or years may be missing.
Does the layout update automatically?
Yes. The tool automatically arranges all boxes, spacing, and connecting lines. You do not need to manually position elements or draw connectors.
Can I save my descendant tree and continue later?
Yes. The tool includes JSON export and import features so you can save your tree data and continue editing later on the same or another computer.
What format can the descendant tree be exported as?
The final descendant tree can be exported as a high-resolution JPEG image suitable for printing or sharing digitally.
Is the exported image suitable for large prints?
Yes. JPEG export resolution scales automatically based on the size of the tree, allowing high-quality printing even for large descendant charts.
Does Descendant Tree Maker require installation?
No. The tool is delivered as a standalone HTML file that works directly in your browser without installation or external software.
Does the tool work offline?
Yes. After downloading the standalone HTML file, the tool works completely offline without internet connectivity.
Is Descendant Tree Maker compatible with Windows and Mac?
Yes. The tool works on both Windows and Mac computers using modern web browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox.